American Booksellers Assoc Inc
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION, INC. (ABA) IS TO PROMOTE THE SUCCESS OF MEMBER BOOKSELLERS BY: CREATING AND PROVIDING MEMBER ACCESS TO A KNOWLEDGE BASE THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE AND BUSINESS SUCCESS: FOSTERING NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLICY INITIATIVES THAT ARE SUPPORTIVE OF A DIVERSE AND COMPETITIVE BOOKSELLING ENVIRONMENT AND THAT PRODUCE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WITH OTHER BOOK RETAILERS; AND PROMOTING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF READING.
- Income
- $6.0 million
- Spending
- $6.3 million
- Employees
- 43
- Volunteers
- 44
- Highest pay
- $447,554, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Governance
This return does not answer enough of the governance questions to score.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- CONTENT AND EDUCATION: FOUNDED IN 1900, THE AMERICAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION IS A NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATION THAT SUPPORTS AND ADVOCATES FOR THE SUCCESS OF INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES. WE PROVIDE MEMBERS WITH EDUCATION, NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES, ADVOCACY, RESOURCES, AND TECHNOLOGY. IN TURN OUR MEMBERS SUPPORT LOCAL SCHOOLS THROUGH BOOK FAIRS, DONATIONS AND AUTHOR VISITS; PROMOTE LITERACY; PROVIDE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CENTERS; CONNECT READERS AND BOOKS; ADD CHARACTER TO NEIGHBORHOODS; CHAMPION AND CENTER DIVERSE AND NEW VOICES; AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY. WE FEEL HONORED TO SUPPORT THEM IN THEIR WORK.
- PRODUCTS AND SERVICES: ABA OFFERS MEMBERS AN E-COMMERCE PLATFORM FOR A MONTHLY FEE AND THE TOOLS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO CREATE FULLY TRANSACTIONAL E-COMMERCE WEBSITES. ALL ABA MEMBERS' BOOKSTORES CAN OFFER THEIR CUSTOMERS A RANGE OF READING DEVICES AND/OR DIGITAL TITLES AND AUDIOBOOK TITLES. ABA COMPILES AND DISTRIBUTES TO MEMBERS A MONTHLY LIST OF INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLER RECOMMENDATIONS, TO BE DISTRIBUTED BY MEMBER STORES IN HARD COPY AND ELECTRONICALLY AND USED AS A SALES TOOL. TWICE A YEAR ABA FACILITATES MAJOR PROMOTIONS FOR MEMBER STORES, BRINGING TOGETHER AUTHORS, READERS, AND PUBLISHERS AT EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLERS. ABA COORDINATES SPECIAL PURCHASING PROGRAMS FOR MEMBER STORES AND OFFERS DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED PRICES ON SHIPPING, PAPER ITEMS, CREDIT CARD PROCESSING, AND OTHER AFFINITY PARTNER PRODUCTS. ABA ALSO OFFERS MEMBERS A COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF PUBLISHERS' BUSINESS TERMS THAT IS REGULARLY UPDATED.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(6) business league.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(6) business league as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1938.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.